The current VIN date & time: Eastern

VIN PHAR303-0421: Responsible Antimicrobial Use 2021

The lectures for this course will be presented in an audio format using a webinar platform.

Presenters: Peter Foley, MSc, DVM, DACVIM (SAIM)
Sandra McConkey, DVM, PhD, Diplomate ACVP
Course Open: April 13-May 7, 2021
Real Time Sessions (RTS): Tuesdays, April 20 and 27, 2021; 8:00-10:00 pm ET (USA) World Clock Converter
Total CE Credit: 4
RACE Category: 4 hours Medical

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Course Information:
Antimicrobial resistance is an increasing problem in both human and veterinary medicine. Whenever an antimicrobial is used, it inadvertently selects for resistance by killing or inhibiting sensitive bacteria and leaving behind resistant organisms. As a result, medicines become ineffective and infections persist, increasing hospital times, cost and morbidity. Inappropriate antibiotic use can lead to superbugs that are difficult or impossible to treat with our current antibiotic options. This course will discuss the mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance, the use of "best" practices to avoid the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance.

Learning Objectives:
Upon completion of the course, the participant should be able to
  • understand the importance of preventing antimicrobial resistance.
  • cescribe what resistance (including multi-drug resistance) is, how and why it occurs, and when antimicrobial use is required.
  • explain empirical vs rational choice of antimicrobials.
  • explain how to get the most information out of an MIC (Minimum Inhibitory Concentration) result.
  • identify when and which antimicrobials are appropriate for small animal diseases, including the following scenarios.
    • perioperative antibiotic use
    • urinary tract infections
    • miscellaneous infectious diseases

Level and Prerequisites: This basic VIN CE course is open for enrollment to veterinarians and veterinary students actively interested in antimicrobial resistance stewardship.
Accreditation: This course is approved for 4 hours of continuing education credit by RACE for veterinarians. (RACE 22-39935)

Course Agenda:

Week 1 (Real Time Session April 20, 2021): Antimicrobial Resistance – Understanding the Problem
Presenter: Sandra McConkey, DVM, PhD, DACVP

Week 2 (Real Time Session April 27, 2021): Rational Antimicrobial Therapy for Small Animals: What to Choose for Specific Diseases
Presenters: Peter Foley, DVM, DACVIM (SAIM)

Successful completion (scoring 80% or better) on the end-of-course test is required to earn a certificate of completion for the course. To learn more about the requirements for earning a CE certificate, please refer to Receiving Your CE Credit and Course Completion Certificate.

Course Materials: Course materials will be available in the course library prior to each Real Time Session.
Required Textbook(s): There is no required textbook for this course.


Enrollment is closed.


Tuition: Member $92 ($83 early bird special if enrolled by March 30, 2021)
Non-Member $169 ($152 early bird special if enrolled by March 30, 2021)
Prices are listed in US dollars.

*To ensure participants are ready and prepared for classes, enrollment will close on April 20, 2021 at 5 pm ET (USA) or when the maximum number of participants is reached.

*For more information on how online CE works, see the Participant Resource Center.

  1. Enrollment qualifications: VIN CE courses are open to VIN member and non-member veterinarians. Veterinarians enrolling in a VSPN CE course must be a VIN member. Veterinary support staff must be a VSPN member to enroll in a VSPN CE or a VIN CE course open to VSPN member enrollment.
  2. Each enrollee must be able to receive emails from @vspn.org and @vin.com addresses. Email is our major form of communication with participants; personal emails are highly recommended rather than clinic/hospital email addresses.
  3. For further assistance call 800-846-0028 ext. 797 or email . Please include the course title, your full name, and contact information in your correspondence.

Course withdrawal and refund policy: A complete refund of the paid course price will be issued when your withdrawal request is received prior to the listed start date of the course. If you wish to withdraw after the start date please contact the VIN office 800-846-0028 ext. 797 to discuss eligibility for a pro-rated refund.

*For more information on VIN's upcoming CE courses, check the VIN Course Catalog.

Katherine James, DVM, PhD, DACVIM (SAIM)
VIN Education Director

VIN CE Services:
800-846-0028 or 530-756-4881; ext. 797
or direct line to VIN/VSPN from the United Kingdom: 01 45 222 6154
or direct line to VIN/VSPN from Australia: 02 6145 2357